a16z Partner Kofi Ampadu Leaves Firm After TxO Pause

Kofi Ampadu, a partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, has left the company. He sent a farewell email to staff on Friday afternoon. This comes three months after the firm paused its Talent x Opportunity program, known as TxO, and laid off most of its team. Ampadu had led TxO for over four years.

Background

Andreessen Horowitz, often called a16z, started TxO in 2020. The program aimed to help founders who lacked connections in Silicon Valley. These were people from groups often overlooked in venture capital, like Black and Latino entrepreneurs. TxO gave them money, advice, and entry to tech networks. It used a donor-advised fund to provide capital. This setup let the firm support startups without traditional ownership stakes right away.

Nait Jones ran TxO at first. Ampadu took over and stayed in charge until the pause in November 2025. Under his watch, the program ran cohorts of founders. The last one finished in March 2025. Participants got hands-on help to refine their business ideas. They learned how to pitch to investors and build their companies. In 2024, TxO added grants of $50,000 each to nonprofits that aid diverse founders.

The program drew praise from some founders. They valued the quick access to mentors and investors. Others pointed out issues with the donor fund model. It had limits that made it hard to scale like regular venture deals. TxO stood out in an industry where most funding goes to founders with elite school ties or insider links. Data shows Black founders get less than 1% of U.S. venture dollars. Teams led only by women get about 2%.

Key Details

Ampadu's email had the subject line 'Closing My a16z Chapter.' He thanked the firm for the chance to lead TxO. After the pause, he worked on a16z's new accelerator called Speedrun. His time there was short. The firm has not said anything about his departure or TxO's future.

"Identifying out-of-network entrepreneurs and supporting them as they sharpened their ideas, raised capital, and grew into confident leaders was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career."

— Kofi Ampadu, in his farewell email to a16z staff

TxO paused amid big changes in tech. Many companies cut back on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Top firms reframed or dropped public promises from earlier years. a16z laid off most TxO staff in November. Ampadu told participants on October 16, 2025, that the program needed time to refine its approach.

TxO's Reach and Challenges

Over four years, TxO backed dozens of founders. It connected them to a16z's network of operators and investors. Some built successful startups. The donor structure let TxO move fast without long negotiations. But critics said it did not match the clear incentives of standard VC checks. The pause hit as venture funding tightened overall. Investors focused on proven paths during tough markets.

Ampadu's role grew key at a16z. He wrote about TxO cohorts on the firm's site. Posts highlighted Spring 2025 participants kicking off in San Francisco. His work fit a16z's push into new areas like accelerators.

What This Means

Ampadu's exit may signal the end of TxO as it was. The program brought attention to gaps in venture capital. It showed one way to find talent outside usual circles. Now, with the pause indefinite, that path looks closed for good. Founders who benefited from TxO credit it with fast progress. They got skills and contacts that opened doors.

The move fits a wider shift. Tech giants and VC firms reassess diversity programs. Funding disparities persist. Studies from groups like the National Venture Capital Association and Kapor Center note network barriers. Black and women founders still face steep odds. TxO's end leaves a hole in efforts to change that.

Ampadu has not said what comes next. His background points to more work with overlooked entrepreneurs. He might start a new fund, join another firm, or build accelerators. Eyes will follow his steps. Speedrun continues at a16z. It focuses on game startups but shares some TxO methods.

For the industry, this tests if diversity bets survive lean times. TxO proved curated support works. It expanded the talent pool quickly. The question is who picks up that model now. Founders outside networks wait for the next door to open. a16z stays quiet on plans. The venture world watches for signals on inclusive investing.